DAAN ROOSEGAARDE

Dutch artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde merges art and technology to create breathtaking, sustainable installations that inspire wonder and reflection. Known for projects like Waterlicht and the Smog Tower, Roosegaarde transforms public spaces with light, movement, and environmental awareness. At BIFA, he presents SPARK, a mesmerizing display of biodegradable light sparks floating in the air, offering a sustainable alternative to fireworks and reimagining the way we celebrate together.

MINTY FRESH CIRCUS

Conceived by Monique Martin, Minty Fresh Circus is a US-based circus show performed by an all-Black cast, with a majority-Black creative team celebrating the healing power of Black music and movement, infused with the joy and resilience of those who traversed the transatlantic slave trade.

Grounded in Sankofa (a Ghanaian word encouraging one to learn from the past to inform the future) with an Afro-futuristic vibe, Minty Fresh Circus features movement, music, and circus arts in a time-bending journey of redemption.

Anna Tsouhlarakis

Her work, rooted in strength, resilience, and humor, challenges traditional narratives and amplifies Native voices in powerful, unexpected ways. Using sculpture, video, performance, and text, she deconstructs stereotypes while celebrating the rich complexities of Native identity. At BIFA, Tsouhlarakis presents thought-provoking work that invites viewers to question preconceived notions and engage with Indigenous experience through a contemporary, multifaceted lens.

2MX2

Blending reggaeton, hip-hop, rock, and Spanglish lyrics, this Latinx band from Denver brings a vibrant, genre-bending sound rooted in culture, resistance, and joy. Their music challenges expectations while amplifying stories of identity, resilience, and revolution. Through powerful performances and socially conscious lyrics, they create space for celebration and connection. At BIFA, the group delivers an electrifying set that unites audiences through rhythm, message, and movement.

Bill Orisich

Breckenridge-based artist Bill Orisich works across film, sound, photography, and multi-channel installation to explore the tension between nature and human-made environments. His practice is rooted in research, collaboration, and experimentation, often drawing inspiration from the history and resonance of place. Orisich’s work reveals moments of humor, mystery, and reflection through layered sensory experiences. At BIFA, he continues this exploration with an immersive soundscape that invites audiences to tune into the subtleties of landscape and memory.

Joe Scolari

Born in the wild valley of Verzasca in Italian Switzerland, Joe Scolari creates interactive art and play installations that invite children and adults to engage with the forest in playful, intentional ways. With a background in carpentry and trail work, his pieces reflect a deep connection to nature and a commitment to simplicity, using raw materials like stone and wood. His work blends creativity and craftsmanship, offering tactile experiences that harmonize with the landscape. At BIFA, Scolari brings his unique vision to life, encouraging curiosity, exploration, and wonder in the natural world.

Nicole Banowetz

Colorado-based sculptor and educator creates large-scale inflatable installations inspired by the hidden beauty of the natural world—microscopic life, strange creatures, and organic forms. Her work has been exhibited internationally, from the Amsterdam Light Festival to the Denver Art Museum, often transforming spaces with immersive, otherworldly presence. Banowetz thrives in unfamiliar environments, drawing inspiration from ecological systems and scientific curiosity. At BIFA, her soft sculptures invite viewers into a world of wonder, scale, and discovery that blurs the line between science and imagination.

Justin Tyler Tate

Canadian-born artist Justin Tyler Tate works at the intersection of sculpture, technology, and social practice, creating inventive installations that blur the boundaries between art, design, and public engagement. With a BFA from NSCAD University and an MFA from the Helsinki Academy of Fine Arts, his international career includes solo exhibitions, biennials, and residencies across the globe. His work often explores ecological themes, community interaction, and the future of built environments. At BIFA, Tate brings an experimental approach to his practice that explores the fusion of biology and craft through a series of unique wooden sculptures. 

Aimee Kuiper

Author and illustrator Aimee Kuiper brings bold, character-driven stories to life through vibrant visuals that explore third culture identity and lived experience. Based in the suburban wilds of Savage, Minnesota, her work blends personal narrative with playful design, making space for voices that are often overlooked. Kuiper’s practice spans gallery exhibitions, youth workshops, and publications, with a focus on accessibility and empowerment through art. At BIFA, she shares her passion for storytelling with work that invites audiences of all ages to imagine, reflect, and create.

TREE-O

Suspended high in the trees, this trio of professional cellists transforms classical and contemporary music into a soaring, immersive experience. Performing from harnesses in the forest canopy, they blend breathtaking visuals with rich, resonant sound. Their work reimagines where and how music is heard, inviting audiences to connect with nature through melody. At BIFA, they return to the treetops for an unforgettable performance among the pines.